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NEWSLETTER
February & March 2026
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"The heart's natural love is the principal requisite to attain a holy life. When this love, the heavenly gift of Nature, appears in the heart, it removes all causes of excitation from the system and cools it down to a perfectly normal state; and, invigorating the vital powers, expels all foreign matters - the germs of diseases - by natural ways. It thereby makes man perfectly healthy in body and mind, and enables him to understand properly the guidance of Nature."
-Sri Yukteswar
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Council News
Thank you to all who made nominations for the 2026 Managing Council. In consultation with Brother Devananda, the new council is: Shikha Misra, Coordinator; Linda Clark-Traeger, Secretary; Lisa Buchholz, Treasurer; Akhilesh Dwivedi, Member-at-Large; Mike O'Brien, Member-at-Large. We thank outgoing Member-at-Large Paulette Fritsch, who served for six years, and outgoing Treasurer Kimberly Stevens, who has moved to California. Your service is appreciated.
There have also been transitions on the committees, including Paulette Frisch taking over as the Volunteer Coordinator. Heartfelt gratitude goes to Kaya Stasch for her work in this role for the previous six years.
The Managing Council is working on plans for the upcoming monastics' visit when we welcome Brother Nikhilananda and Brahmachari Daniel to Portland, April 17-19, 2026. The council is also awaiting guidance from SRF Center Department for exploring the possible relocation of Portland Center.
In Divine Friendship,
Shikha Misra, Linda Clark-Traeger, Lisa Buchholz,
Mike O'Brien and Akhilesh Dwivedi
| | Pictured above is Shikha Misra, Mike O'Brien, Linda Clark-Traeger,
Akhilesh Dwivedi (back row) Lisa Buchholz and Paulette Fritsch (font row) | | A Winter Visit with the Monastics | | Brother Sarvananda, Brahmachari Rahul and devotees from Portland Center | | |
We were blessed to host Brother Sarvananda and Brahmachari Rahul in December.
It started with a perfect winter day where a small group of devotees toured The Grotto in Portland on Friday. Brother Sarvananda enjoys reading about saints and treated us to many wonderful stories as we walked the grounds.
Saturday continued the tradition of the All-Day Christmas Meditation dedicated to inner communion with the Divine and attunement with Christ Consciousness. There were periods of silent meditation, prayer, chanting and inspirational readings.
It is always a joy to have the Sunday service led by a monastic and with the vibrations from the All-Day meditation still lingering, our beloved Guru Paramahansa Yoganda's presence is even stronger. The day ended with a delicious vegetarian Christmas Potluck where everyone enjoyed fellowship with the monks and each other.
We are grateful for all of the devotees from other Groups and Circles that were able to join us.
Soon we will be sharing details about the upcoming visit by SRF monastics, Brother Nikhilananda and Brahmachari Daniel from April 17th - 19th.
| | Mosaic of St. Guadalupe at the Grotto | The altar at the All-Day Meditation | | | |
Sun, Feb. 1
Mastering Your Habits
A video talk by Brother Govindananda
Sunday School 11:00 am
Sun, Feb. 8
Experiencing the Love of God
Sun, Feb. 15
Your Thoughts Can Change Your Life
A video talk by Brother Anandamoy
Friendship Tea 12:00-12:45 pm
Sun, Feb. 22
Kirtan 8:00 am, 9:00 am & 10:00 am (Energization Exercises begin at 8:00 am)
The Cosmic Motion Picture
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Sun, March 1
Finding Joy in Plain Living and High Thinking
A video talk by Brother Satyananda
Sunday School 11:00 am
Sun, March 8
Sri Yukteswar & Paramahansa Yogananda Mahasamadhi Service 11:00 am *
Daylight Saving Time Begins
Sun, March 15
Seeing God in Everyone
A video talk by Sister Namita
Friendship Tea 12:00-12:45 pm
Sun, March 22
How to Be a Friend to All
Sun, March 29
Kirtan 8:00 am, 9:00 am & 10:00 am (Energization Exercises begin at 8:00 am)
The Deeper Teachings of Jesus Christ
*A flower offering is optional; rose petals will be available. A monetary donation may also be brought in an envelope as a symbol of loyalty and gratitude.
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Inclement Weather
An email will be sent for possible weather related closures or you can check the Portland Center website for closure announcements.
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"The way to freedom is through service to others. The way to happiness is through meditation and being in tune with God. Let your heart beat with love for others, let your mind feel the needs of others, and let your intuition feel the thoughts of others."
Paramahansa Yogananda
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SUNDAY SCHOOL
The attendance at Portland Center’s Sunday School continues to grow. To provide support for the new children, Portland Center’s Teaching Team seeks to expand the number of teachers, co-teachers and classroom observers.
SRF’s Youth Services provide a series of recurring Teacher Training sessions via Zoom. These Foundational Teacher Training Sessions are a required step for those who may want to get started participating in our growing Sunday School program.
Come and share the joy of learning while helping yourself and our Center grow a new generation of yogis and yoginis in self realization.
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CLEANING COMMITTEE
The Cleaning Committee is responsible for ensuring the Center is clean on a weekly basis as well as an occasional day of service where deeper cleaning is done. Volunteers rotate and pick the weeks that they are available to help.
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PHOTOGRAPHER
Portland Center is looking for an amateur or semi-professional photographer to take pictures of events and activities at the Center for our newsletter, website and to occasionally share with SRF International Headquarters.
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FLOWER COMMITTEE
Do you love flowers? The Flower Committee could use your help. They are responsible for the beautiful flower arrangements that provide warmth, life and color throughout the Center, from the altar to the Sunday School rooms and beyond.
Flower tasks range, we create the garlands for the commemorative services, setup and takedown for those services, altar arrangements for weekly services and maintain the flower prep area and flower cooler. If you attended any of the special commemorative services, you have seen the importance of flowers for these celebrations.
Prior flower arranging skills are not necessary. We are happy to accept apprentices and can teach you all you need to know.
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Interested in helping?
Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Paulette Fritsch at pauletsrf@gmail.com for more information or fill out a Volunteer Application form found in the foyer at the Center or by clicking here.
For a role in Sunday School. please contact Darden, Mike or Shikha.
Darden - dardenbynum@icloud.com, Mike - obrien.mike@outlook.com, Shikha - shipanmis@gmail.com
| | | | Self-Realization Fellowship News | |
Did you know SRF has a podcast?
We are happy to announce the launch of “The Wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda,” a new Self-Realization Fellowship podcast sharing the inspiration and guidance of Paramahansa Yogananda’s Kriya Yoga teachings. We encourage you to subscribe and enjoy episodes wherever you are — via your favorite podcast platform, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, and many others.
Read More...
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Financial Donations
Portland Center is self-sufficient and relies on the support of its members for all of its operations. As 2026 begins, please consider making a financial donation to help sustain our center.
Online donations to the Portland Center can be made through Zelle with the following email address:
portlandcenterdonations@gmail.com
Checks made payable to "Portland Center" can be given during the offering, placed in the Donation Box or mailed to:
356 NE 80th Avenue, Portland 97213
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